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Robert Donnell Bone (1832-1892) was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, and came to Nacogdoches County in 1841 with his mother and stepfather. He and his brothers and sister moved in with his older sister when she married John Winstead Paine in 1846. After a serious illness of pneumonia, R. D. Bone rode horseback to Tennessee and entered the University at Nashville Medical School (which later became Vanderbilt University) in 1854 and returned to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine after graduating in 1858. That same year he married Griselda Minerva Burk (1841-1912) who was also from Tennessee and had moved to Nacogdoches County, Texas, with her family in 1848. On November 25, 1861, Dr. Bone was appointed to serve as Assistant Surgeon of the 12th Texas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Overton Young's Regiment at Camp Hebert, Hempstead, Austin County, Texas. He felt it was his duty to serve the cause of the Confederacy and eagerly attended his post. As revealed in the following letters exchanged with his wife while on active duty in the Civil War, it soon became clear that he would have to contend with inadequate provisions, boring camp routine and confusing orders. "The Fever", dysentery, measles and exposure were Dr. Bone's patients' main medical problems; his regiment was not involved in any serious fighting. When he resigned his commission on March 7, 1863, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he went back to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine. Dr. Bone also bought cotton and cattle and took them to New Orleans each fall to be sold. Minerva was Post Mistress in Douglass from 1866-1867. Only six of the Bone's 12 children reached adulthood, and two of their sons graduated from the University at Nashville Medical School exactly 50 years after Dr. Bone did. At least eight of his descendants have followed him in serving the medical profession. (Aiken, Roy L. (Pete). "Bone Family." In Nacogdoches County Families, 172. Dallas, Tx.: Curtis Media Corporation, 1985.)

Scope and Content Note

Included in the collection of letters between Dr. Bone and Minerva are letters to the Bones from family and friends, report forms from the post office at Douglass, and two poems (probably written by Dr. Bone). Typescripts for most of the papers in the collection are in a booklet in Box 2. Several 19th century newspapers belonging to Dr. Bone are cataloged and shelved with the newspaper bundles.

Dec 7th [1861] Dear Minerva Was really glad to hear by Mother's letter that your trials were over and you doing well. I hope you will continue to do well. In reference to our new little boy all I can say at present, is I want to see him. I know he must favor you if he is as pretty as Frances writes As to his name I hardly know what to say. You know I don't like names for Kinfolks and after studying up for a name I will propose Winstead Paine Bone as his name. He was no kin only by marriage. He was an honest man and my best friend in time of need - his kindness to me entitles him to a name. I will not force the name on you contrary to your wish. I do not want him to have my name nor any part of it. If you do not like my name for our little son send me your name for him and I will consider it We will name him by our mutual consent. I would like for you to send me a small Bible if you can get one handy. I can get one to read but would rather have one of my own. Send me half Dozen course towels - Send my case of Instruments with all of my tooth forceps. Send me my Tourniquet it is in the upper part of my trunk - it is the thing I put on your arm to press it tight - you may prepare me another suit of clothes and wait till I come or send for them. The other articles I want you to send by Lt. Murph if he can bring them with some paper and Envelopes. Minerva You can't tell Minerva how I would like to get a letter from you. I know there are no two hearts more completely blended in love than ours and letters are the only food on which we can live and cherish our affections for the present. Kiss our little boys (don't that sound strange?) and be a kind Ma to them. Tell Watson to be a good boy and obey his Ma and Pa will remember him kindly for it As to where you should live I leave to you - hoping you will consider what will be for our good. Write how our house is getting along - save all our nails carefully for they will be scarce. Write me all of the particulars. I have made arrangements to have my washing done in the neighborhood here at 60 cts pr Doz. I will wash my own socks & handkerchiefs I have lost nothing yet. Some of the boys have lost several little things and it may be my time next I want to come home before long if I can - if not I shall stick close to my post. Take good care of your self. Write soon & often yours R.D.B I will send Mother's letter this for you to give her I will write to your Pa tomorrow. R D Bone

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